N/S-doped carbon embedded with AgNPs as a highly efficient catalyst for the reduction of toxic organic pollutants

Abstract In the present study, silver nanoparticles embedded N/S doped carbon (AgNPs@NSC) was synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of silver polymer complex. The formation of Ag nanoparticles in the N/S doped carbon (NSC) was confirmed via UV–Visible, FTIR, XRD, BET, XPS, and TEM analysis. The synthesized AgNPs@NSC nanocomposite exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) into 4-nitrophenol (4-AP) in the presence of NaBH4. The fabricated catalyst show excellent catalytic activities and take only 6 min for the reduction of 4-NP. Furthermore, the highly porosity of carbon retained good activity and stability after five cycles. The foregoing study clearly suggests that synthesis of AgNPs@NSC nanocomposite by this method is efficient towards the development of a newer and a novel catalyst.